The Golden Ocean

The first novel Patrick O’Brian ever wrote about the sea – and the precursor to the famous Aubrey-Maturin series. The Golden Ocean is the first novel Patrick O’Brian ever wrote about the sea. The novel shares the same sense of excitement and the rich humour of the Aubrey-Maturin novels, invoking the eloquent style and attention to historical detail that O’Brian readers admire so much. The protagonist of this story is Peter Palafox, son of a poor Irish parson, who signs on as a midshipman, never before having seen a ship. He is a fellow who would have delighted the young Stephen Maturin or Jack Aubrey … and quarrelled with them as well. Together with his life-long friend Sean, Peter sets out to seek his fortune, embarking on a journey of danger, disappointment, foreign lands and excitement. Written in 1956, this is a tale certain to please not only the many admirers of O’Brian, but any reader with an adventurous soul. The Golden Ocean, a top literary work, is a thrilling adventure that showcases the best of Patrick O’Brian's humorous and action-packed writing style. The author's attention to detail and historical accuracy adds depth to the story, making it a must-read for fans of fiction thrillers. For fans of Michael Connelly (The Waiting), Tom Holland (The Vampyre), Simon Scarrow (The Emperor's Exile), Antoine Vanner (Britannia's Guile), and Robert Harris (Conclave). HarperCollins 2023